Filling-end finder and filling-carrier feeder.



T. CARTER. .FILLING END FINDER AND FILLING CARRIER FEEDER.

I APPLIcArloN FILED Mmmm. 191s. `1 ,27 7,376. Patented Sept. 3, 1918A f s sHEETs-sH'EEr 1.

Infuzutoz Thom a5 darte?" www. I *Q- A Wm .5W/m (L I if i T. CARTER.

FILLING END FINDER'AND FILLING CARRIER FEEDER APPLICATION FILED MARJH. I9Is.

1,277,376. Pmendsept. 3,1918.4

l evsIIEETs-SIIEU 3.

IIIIIIIIIII lumai-toa,

T. CARTER. FILLING END FINDER ANU FILLING CARRIER FEEDER.

, APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28; 1916- I 1 ,277,376. f PatentedSept. 3,1918.l

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.'

Thomas darter @IWI @Mm- -,T. CARTER, FILLLNG END FINDER AND FILLING CARRIER' FEEDER.

APPLI'CATIDN FILED MARLZS l91-6.

`1 ,277,376. L Patentedsept; 3,1918.

Thomas darter l M @www Q dimm 205i lnthe preparation of yarn 'for usi.

45 leiid'ii'ig the.

I "tion `toaproi ide u uiaehine of;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

iI-I'olvIAS CARTER, oF BELToN, SOUTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT Alvin MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To DEAPEE ooEPoEATIoN, F HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A 00E- PURATION 0F MAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

i i FILLING-END FINDER AND FILLING-CARRIER FEEDER.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

Application filed March 28, 1916. Serial No. 87,358.

loiz'iiml filling carrier or bobbiii 'feeder for use.

iii lini'liug` and extending the ends of the filling' threads Wound upon the carriers and feeding the carriers to a battery or niaga- '/.in`e, So that the carriers will be fed up to Ittthey weaver or a battery ready for a looiri repleuishilig action with the ends of the fillings in position to be laid in the Shed .on `the first picksI of theshuttles following' tht` transfer oi the carriers thereto.

als filling in the. weaving otclot-h, the Spun yarn is wound upon a. carrier or hohbin and the loos'e end ot' the `varii or fillingl is teiiiporarily Seeured, ordinarily by giving it a loosel 251er coarse wind about the bodiI of the filling.

so that when the carrier iS-to be used the wea-ver iay find and unwind the loose end of the thread and extend the Saine for transfer to the Shuttle or tothe batteryv prelinii- '30 fiiary to transfer to the Shuttle. All of' these operations are custoniarlly performed by hand.' the weaver taking the filling carrier lioni a box or i-'eeeptiicle'in which it 1s contained `with 4others 'nnd'then unwinding the .loose-.end ot thelilliu'g and placing the c'ar rier in `the shuttle. or battery as the easeniay be. :'ieeording to the character of thev looni,

whether hand or auto'liiatieally fed for the replenisliiiig action. 'These opera-tions are tedious and consume niuch time and cause a great deal ot' trouble to the Weaver, as the filling ent clings closely to the body of the filling ani,- i`s therefore difficult to find and ,reinove for the purpose of" extendingor filling from the tip end of the carrier. i

The prima obj ect:A of tliehprl. ent; invenappara tus "by niiai'is nt which the filling` ef s niay be '50 readily't'ouiid `and unwound an i properly presented `for the transferring tir replenishing action; and; ay further obiett of the in;- vention is to provide a 'machine orappa'- ratus whereby the carriers or bobbins may` also be fed to the battery andthe leading ends of thethreads secured in extended position, so that the filling will be. properly presented either for ia' shuttle threading or automatic filling replenishing action.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists ot' the features of construction, coniliination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed. reference heilig had to the accompanyiine` drawings, in which lFigui-e 1 is a front elevation of a filling end finder and filling carrier feeder enibodying niy invention, and showing the parts as they appear Justy prior to the re-V lease and return of the carriage after one operation and the feeding up of a` filler oarrier for the next operation.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the saine looking toward the side of the machine at which the niain drive gearing is arranged.

Figa 3 is a view in elevation looking t0- ward the opposite. side of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a Sectional plan view'on the line.

Fig. 5 is .a vertical front to rear Section on line of Fig. 1.

Fig. (i is a Vdetail section on the line 6--G of Fig. l. illustrating,r the action of the thread end winding hook.

Fig'. 7 is a sectional plan view on an en-` larged scale Showing the finder finger in position acting upon a carrie-r for the find" ing action.

Fig. Sis ya vertical section on line 8 8 of Flg.4 7. v

N Fig. 9 is a similar View showing `t-he` thread end found and caught' up by the finder finger. y

ais

Fig. iets ...smi-imi Op une iii-1o 0f Eig.

7, showingthefinger in the position'illns-A trated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is a cross section on the line 11-4-1'1 ofFig. 10. l

Fig. 12 is a detail Section of Fig. 9.

p Fig.k 13` isI a fragmentary top plan View of theV outer end df tl1` fi-aine, Showing the lateli device 'forholdiiig'a the carriage during the action of the Winder horizontal guide hook.

Fig. 14 is a Section on line 14-14 of Fig.

`l-Llshowing the llatch in engagement With the-carriage.

on une .i2-12 y Fig. is a detail section on line 1.3-1.5 ofFig. 2. y

Fi 16 is a, View illustrating a slight modi cation of the finder finger.

In the practical,embodiment of my invention, I provide a suitable construct-ion of frame including a hopper .l and a front horizontal. guide frame portion or lraelc 2. The hopper 1 is in the forni of' a box or receptacle designed. to receive and contain the filling carriers or bobbins 5 which may be filled therein by hand or by incans of' any suitable conveying mechanisni. This hopper vis provided at its lower frontporticni with a feed olltle(I or passage 4 cm'itrolled by a swinging valve or gate 5 niounted. at its upper end u ,one horizontal transverse shaft 6 provide at one end with an adjust able trip arm 7. The other end of' the shaft 6 is provided with a lever arm iii which is Connected with a coiled contractile sin'ing 9 operating to normally hold the gate elm-sed. a stop 10 being provided for engage-nient by the lever 8 to limit the closing inoven'ient of' the ate. The filling carriers or l'iobbins e contained Within the hopper rest upon and are supported by the upper stretch off an. endless feed belt or apron @1.1, which forms the bottom of the hopper and by means of whichthe carriers are individually fed to the outlet 4 for discharge. Or. the forward Vmotion .of the upper stretch of the belt, and -.at a proper time period, the gato swung Iylto allow the foremost carrier to lthe outlet 4, the gate "then closing to 1d the remainder of' the carriers from dischI rge. The belt passes around. front and r ar shafts l and 13, and upon one end of the rear shaft is fixed a pmion14 through which forward feed 'and rearward agitating .motions may be transoutwargl pass throug'xh p o .mitted to the belt as hereinafter described.

Disposed innnediately above the forward edge of the belt is' a guard roller l5 which vextends transversely ofthe hopperl at .n.sut VAficient distance above the belt to provide :V throat of proper depth for the' paage of as ingle .carrier or bobbin at a time, by which thepassage of lmore than as'ingle bobbin' an an'y 'ond-time will be prevented. he ends .0# this roller are mounted 'for rotation an'd vertical motion, o adimited extent in bear-K iln'g slots 1 6'for: ed in the side Walls of the hoppenso that'rin the event of a second carrier being caught at. an angle in the throat. between the rdiler and a discharging carrier the roller may Vyield upward to preventi binding of the'carriers in the outlet, v and so vthat on `the reverse or backward '.movenent'of the belt the carrier -first menjtioned will be moved back; and the carriers straightened out and lodsnedup in order *gravity without'. "riding or hang- 'thehoppen By thi means any tendt yjmay properly llsisume their posiency of the carriers lo clog the hopper will be prt-wcnled and a certainly of feed action of thc rarricrs obtained.

llarh carrier or bobbin il discharged through the outlet l drops by gravity into a movable suln'iorting lrainc .-oniprising in the presi-nt instance a horizontal transverse bar 17 carried by the lower ends of vertical arms lo pirotally mounted at the sides of the hopper, as indicated al. li). to adapt the U-shapcd frann.- thusl formed to swing in a direction toward and from the outlet.. The swingii'lg frame is normally maintained in a. forward operativo position by means of a coiled retracting spring 20, and upon the bar 17 of the frame are forwardly extending bearingr brackets 2l. in which are Ijonrnaled the endsy of a roll 22 upon which line rarrier or bobbin discharged for the iiuding action rests and whereby such bobbin or carrier is turned or rotated during the finding action, said roll carrying al one und a gear pinion z5?) wln'err-.by it is revolved as hereinafter described. The filling can rie." or bobbin which is ,supported by thc roll '.t is ccnlrrcd and maintained in position '.lnl'ing the finding action by a U-shaped holder or guide 24., supported by the frame or track L, and which loosely' receives the butt end of the bobbin, the tip end of which comes between a bracket piece or stop niember 25 on the frame B ano a similar 'bracket piece or stop member 2G on the bar 17 by .which such end of the'bobbin is held against other than a limited backend-forth movement, the. centering devices, howewr, permitting the carrier or bobbin to freely drop down into position and to be freely revolved.

rllhe means for finding the loadl end 27 of the filling upon the bobbin 3 which is beingl supported and rotated by the roll 22 consists of a finder finger 29 which in the form o t' :i thin blade disposed edgewise in a rertical position and provided. at one end. with a shanlrtlwliich is fitted to slide-or reciprocate in a backward and forward di- 'xection, or in a direction transversely to the axis of the bobbin, in 'a guidepassage 31 forrhed` or rovided in acarria e which c guide passage 3l is fornied at'its inner end with a depression or recess 33. The carriage 32 is Inounted for slidin travel on rods 34 and (5G (the latter forming a rock shaft as y hereinafter described) mounted on the frai'ne'- tionary cutter blade 36 for cooperation with the finderfinger. The finger 1s pivoted, as at 37, to the vinner end 'oli :in-actuating rod 39 arranged to reciprocate in the passage 31 to more the findet' inwardl)7 and outwardly to operative and rct-raetive posltlons, said rod having at its outer end a head or abutment 40 and being normally held retracted by a spring 41. When the linger is moved inwardly it is permitted bythe recess 33 and its pivot, 37 to drop by gravity into contact with the bobbin fr-the finding action, as shown clearly in, Fig. 8,"i'1rwliiel1`positi0n the finger swings downwardly out-of the slotted extension 35, while when the finger is retracted' it iselevated into said slotted extension to a `normally horizontal position by the withdrawal ot' its shank 3() baekward into the passage 31, whereby the pivotal connection laftween the same and the rod 39 is made rigid,

The inder finger is provided with a toothedor hooked surface to engage the lilling, and as shown in the present instance this toothed,surface comprises a series of teeth 42 formed by `curved or arcuate slots lil extending through the lower" edge of the finger and curved upwardly and forwardly, so that the filler thread entering any oi the slots will 4pass upward on and be caught by the upper inclined surface ot' the tooth'and so held against disphieement When the finger is mo ved inwardly by the sliding motion ot' its' actuating rod 39 and drops by gravity down upon the surface of the winding on the filling carrier it rides yieldingly in Contact with such winding and engages and picks up the free end 27 of the thread, and then upon the retraction of the finger it draws the thread end up intol the.slotted extension l5 so that the thread will be eut or severed by the blade 36 and thus freed from the buttend oi the carrier about which it is wound. The thread end will then be in position ready to be extended or carried forward beyond the tip end ol the bobbin So as to be properly presented to the Weaver or toI a thread holder upon the battery to which the carrier is conducted. The end 40 of the rod 39 lis arranged in the path of movement of a` pusher or presser arm 44 carried by :u rockshaft 45 provided with an adjustable actuating or trip `arm 46, said presser4 arm and shaft being normally held retracted by a `spring 47. When the arm 44 is moved inwardly jected for action in when said arn is released the springs 4l and 47 return the respective parts to normal positions Upon the finding or picking up of the thread from the carrier the thread is carried forward by the earria :to extend it to a proper leading position i Y, a holder,l while'at the saine f'me the carrier or b'obbinV yis released and ay owed to drop int0=a suitable receptacle. f'jlfliis receptacle or holder for transfer to the shuttle is shown form of a batv iniv the' :present 4 instance in the the finger will be proan obvious manner and.

engage it with tex-y 4S. of the rotar f type employed in connection with self replenishing looms, and may be rotated in practicen timed accord with the filling finding and feed mechanism to present the pockets or receptzu-.les tliereofI in proper position to receive the carriers as they are discharged by a rear\vard movement of the roller 22 at the end of the finding action. The battery may be rotated by any suitable mechanism2 not necessary to be shown, as the battery itself constitutes no part of the present.invention, but arranged in proper lposition to receive the c ndsof the threads extending from the carriers on the battery is a thread holder 4i) which may be supported either from `the battery or from the frame 2, as shown in the present inL stance. At the end of the tindingaetion theI carrier or bobbin supported by the roll 22 is dropped into the battery by retraeting said roll, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. which action is permitted by the spring 2U, which thereupon returns the trame to normal position to again dispv e the roll in working order. arms 18ct the swinginof f-ral'ne isconnec 4et' by a link 50 with apivoted leveral )irovided with a trip lug' adaptedtd be enan actuating element to `impart gaged by swinging motion to the swinging frameyas hereinafter descrilied.

The feed travel oi the earriag ed by means of an endless chain'or` e' nveyer passing around sprocket wheels 54 and '55 mounted on shafts 5G and 57 Ijourlialml on the trame 2, and which chain is pn'orvided with a lug or projtuztion 58 to engage and move the carriage to the outer end of the .frame portion 2 and then moveout of engagement with and release the carriage for subsequent retraction. W hen the carriage is moved outwardly as described a c'ord` or cable 59, connected at one end therewith and` at its opposite end with a Weight (i0 movable in aI hollow guide upnight 61, operates Ato raise the weight within the upright so that wardly or forwardly while the filling carriery l keine l J 32 iyelfectis still being held by the roll 22 and retain-4 ing'- members 24. 25 and 2G, so that the thread end 27 is unwound and ext-ended or carriedforwardA by l'the carriage for engagement wlth the holder` 49.

reaches the limit ofits outward movement and just prior to its release by the projection` 58,v as shown in Fig. 14, a portion of the earriagecomes in contact 'with a stop 64 at the n outer endof the frame? and is engaged by a hooked latch (l5-carried by a longitudinally y extending rock shaft 66, by which the car-` When the iarrage .any suitable source.

riage is held at the limit of its outward movement; for a, definlte period during which the thread end 27 is released from the finder -finger and transferred to and engaged with Wheel 7l on a transmission shaft 72 driven from the shaft 57 byintermeshing beveled gears 73 and 74. The free end, of this hook 67 rotates, as .shown in Fig. (i, in a path t0 engage the thread which is clamped in the slotted extension Bby the finger 29 at a point between the bobbin and clamped end of the thread and to draw out and loop or wind the threadr-J/,Ibout the holder 40 a plurality of limes, this operation being completed at or about the time the bobhin is released and drops into the battery and the end of the thread is released Jfrom the slotted extension by a pn'ojeetive movement of the finder finger. This projective movement of the finder finger is effected 'by means of a pivoted gravitv retracted trip member or pusher arm 75 adapted to engage the plun' Ager head 40 and push the finger inwardly, said arm 75 being periodically moved forward and released for retraction by a lug or projection 76 on the shaft 72. The shaft or rod (i6 extends longitudinally of the`franie 2 beyond the opposite sic e of the hopper l and is provided with an adjustable arm 77 adapted to be tripped to release. the latch to.

permit retraction of the carriage at a proper time period, as l'iereinafter described. The trip arms 7, 4G and 77 are mounted for rotary adjustment about their shafts so that their position for timed actions to an accuratedegree may be regulated, While the hooked Winder arm 67 extends through a transverse opening in the shaft (38 to vary secured in position by a set screw GSR.

The primary drive gearing for actuating the several parts above described consists of a master or main drive gear 78 provided with a continuous series of external gear teeth 79 adapted to meshwith a primary drive gear 8O loosely mounted on a. primary drive shaft 81 provided with a pulley 82 or othery means for receiving power from The gear 80 is provided with a recess forming a' cam surface 83 and a shoulder 84 for eoperation with a clutch pin 85 on the shaft 81 or Whel. 82,

' and also with a sleeve 86 provided with'an ing into and out of action annular groove 87 to receive a suitable shifting4 device may be moved into aigd oufarlojlf operative relation to the clutch pin to lltrow the gearda" desired. The s'hlfting device 88 is operai) e.by means of a. lever 89 orother means for holdingthe lts effective length and is adapted to be gear 80 projected so that the pin 85 will engage the shoulder 8land turn said gear in a clock-wise direction, while any backward or counter-clock-wise movement of the piu will cause said pin to engage the cam surface 83 and push the gear 8U back, thus preventing any rotary motion from -being transmitted thereto in a retrograde motion, whereby damage to the machine is prevented. The gear 78 'also 'provided with 'an internally toothed flange D() to. successively engage and turn the gears 14 and at fixed intervals and for predetermined periods to move the feed apron forward 4for a feed actionand to turn the 'supporting roll 22. 0n the gear 78 is also a gear segment. 91 to engage the gear 14 tor the purpose of reversing the motion of the feed apron, after the apron has been operated on its feed motion and before the roller gear 23 is revolvedT hobbins contained in the hopper and straighten out any angularly or irregularly arranged bohbins to a proper feeding position, by means of which binding and cholting' of the bobbins will be 'further prevented. On the wheel 78 is also atrip pin 92- to periodically engage and operate the-trip arm 77 which retracts the latch device 65, and on said wheel 78 is also a segmental trip fiange 93 which operates to successively and periodically engage the door trip arm 7 and the finger trip arm 4G, all of the working parts with the exception of the elements 75 and 7G being thereby directly operated from the gear 8. The shaft 56 carries a beveled gear 94 n'ieshing with a similarA gear .5 on atransmission shaft 9G carrying a gear 97 which meshes with the` teeth 79 of the gear 78 and is driven therefrom, where by motion is communicated to the eontinuously driven chain 53. .A suitable stop or bumper 98 is arranged upon the hopper or frame at a proper point to arrest the motion of the carriage when, retracted' and in .finding position. The finder inger'may be formed with a straight toothedsurfaee 99,

to loosen up the carriers or' as shown in the main views of the drawings,

The filled carriers or bobbins having been i supplied to the hopper and the main drive gear set into action, assumingthat the carriage is at the end of its outward or feed moypment of a previous Working motion,

Hange'93 lirst engages the arm 7 and swings the door open and then the gear 90 engages and turns the ,pinion 14 for a forward feed motion of the belt 11,.Wi ere by -the 4first filler' carrier is discharged through the passage 4 and onto the roll 22.

At this sti ge the pin 92 engages and oper#l ates the latch releasing arm 77 and the earriage isretracted and brought into working position, whereupon the flange 93 engages and trips the arm t6 thus throwing the finder finger into` working position. The gear 9() now engages the gear 23 and rotates the roll to turn `the carrier during ,the finding action, the trip" 7'being released and the door being closed by the .action of the spring '9 to prevent the discharge of any other carriers during such finding ac tion. At this time the gear 91 engages and turns the gear 14; to reverse the motion ot the feed apron to properly distribute the Carriers within the hopper, and as soon as the thread is picked by the finder finger and the latter released and retracted by its spring upon the movement of the flange 93 past the 4arm -lG the projection 58 engages and moves the carriage forward. When the carriage reaches the limit of its outward movement it is latched and held ,for a predetermined period while the extended end of the thread is being released therefrom and Wound by the Winder arm about the holder 4:9. l-Vhen this action ceases the pin 92 reaches and engages the `trip 52 and moves the swinging frame rearwardly to ree tract the roller and release the carrler froni which the thread has .been unwound, thus allowing said -carrier to drop down into the batter whereupon the parts will 'be/in position for a repetition' of the above' de-v scribed operation.

bobbin.

An important featureof my invention, so far as the presentation of the bobbin or carrier to the finding finger is concerned, re sides in-the dropping of the bobbin from the hopper upon the supporting roll 22, which loosely engages the bobbin and gives it rotary motion. It is desirable to stop this rotary motion as soon as the thread is found and engaged by the finder finger, and this is accomplished with my construction by reason of the fat that when the thread end is engaged andvlield'sufficient resistance will be established to hold the bobbin from rotating with its supporting roller, the latter continuing to rotate without affecting the Hence the bobbin may be presented in any position in' which the free end of the thread may be disposed with relation to theV finder finger, and will be turned positively unt-il the' thread is engaged. and held by the finder finger, whereuponthe rotary motion of the bobbin will be arrested, thus preventing undue strain upon or breakage ot' the thread.

Another iniportant feature of my invention resides in the extcnsicm'of the found end of' the thread from the bobbin in a direction parallel with the axis oftthe bobbin and be-V yond the similiar end thereof, whereby the found end of the .thread positioned, without further lnanipulatiph, for connection a support and subsequently to a. battery head.

From the foregoingdescription, taken in 'connection with the drawings, the construction and mode of operation of the invention will. be readily understood and it will be seen that a maehine'is provided for finding and unwinding the threads from'thecarriers in a reliable and eflicientmanner and for .extending or leading out the thread in proper position for the subsequent transferring operation, and for holding the threads oi the carriers in such position for the convenience of the Weaver or for proper presen-v tation to the loom replenishing mechanism, the machine also serving at the same time to feed thefearriers to the battery ready for the transferring action; thus obviating the tedious and time losing operations ordi narily carried out by the weave-r in finding and extending the free ends of the filler threads and disposing the same in proper leading position. By the use ol a machine embodying the present invention the filled carriers may be automatically conveyed to the loom by any suitable type of conveying apparatus and during their period of transit 'operated upon by the finder and feeder to automatically place the filler carriers `in condition to be supplied to the loom to replenish the filling, with amaterial saving of' time and labor and greater convenience over the methods in common use.

I elain1:- L

l. ln a fil-ling end finder 'for bobbins, a finder linger comprising a blade free at one end and pivotally mounted at its opposite end for movement in a. vertical plane,said blade having a longitudinal edge ortion to bear upon the bobbin filling for a finding action, and said blade being formed with a slot extending upwardly and forwardly on a curved line .from said. bearing edge toward its free end and openingat its rear end through said edge and means for rendermg said finger olierative and inoperative for pivotal motion.

2. In a filling end finder for bobbins, a finder fngercomprising a blade free at one end and pivotally mountediat its opposite end for movement in a vertical plane, said blade having a longitlulinal bearing edge to rest upon'the filling for a finding action, and said blade being provided with a plurality .of spacdd slots curved upwardly and for wardly from said finding edge and opening at their rear ends through said edge andV means for rendering said finger operative and inoperative for ).iivotal motion. f i 3. In a filling endfinder for ,bobbins, a finder eoml'n'ising a fingermounted for yielding vertical motionhsaid finger consisting-of aplate having a. longitudinal ibearingedgr. for `contaot with the filling, and provided' l with a battery header, as set forth, first with ,whereby to project and releaae with a plurality of slots curved up 7ardly and forwardly from said bearing migo and opening at their rear ends through said edge,' and means for projecting said linger for a yieldingr finding action and reti-ailing and holding the finger rigidly againet yieliling motion.

4. In a lling end finder for bobbua. a finder device comprising a holder. a member mounted to reciprocate in .said holder, a finder linger pivoted to said uicnibvr and normally held rigid therewith in the holder, and means for reciprocating aaiil iumubrr to project and retract the linger and .Loving it on its pivot.

5. In a` filling end finder for hohl-una, a holder, ar reoipimating merulan', a lila! finger pivot-ed to Said reciprooal'ing; uwuiln-r and normally held by said member n; i joint relation, and mmm 'lor rvfziprn said member for joint breaking anil actions.

(3. In a filling end .finden support. a member nionumi in in said support, finder linger said member and normali I L with in said .support mear member and finger in one direction in 1roject and release the linger for a pivotal niotion, and means for retract-ingeaid i' nber and finger to lock' the finger against iiroa l motion.

.7. In a. filling end finder for l'l-ohbine', a finder finger, a member to which said linger is pivoted for swinging motion to [ind-ing and retracting positions, ifespertirely. and means controlling eaifl member and lin; to move they Asaine in difieren? 'lirerona lino linger for finding' aclion and to reiarl and loili the finger in reiraciial position.

S. ln a lilling r-ntl finder for lniiblina.. a finder coinpriaing a linger ha ving a thread engaging surface, said linger being arranged to rent by gravity upon ihothread in its finding action and having free vertical movement, and controlling meaux jfor said finder finger.

9. In a filling end 'finder for bobbins, a support having a bifureateil extension and aguidepassage communicating with the spaee'betweon the sides of the b-ifurcatioina plunger movable in saidpassage, a finder finger pivoted to Said plunger and arranged to project and move iu -the bifurcation, a spring engaging the plunger to 'hold it retracted with the pivoted portion 'of the finder Iwithin the passage to hold the finder rigid, and means .for slidingihhe plunger forward to move the pvot point? forward of the passa-ge to free the finden lvfor pivotal motion.` l

1o. In a filling and finder fplfbobbins, n support having a guiileway,fz bfurcatoil port-qnin line with the guideyyay, a, plungg anni and ine-ana for ac ger movable in said guidou'ay. a finder finger pivoterl lo said plunger, a ,spring for holding the plunger retracted with the part ol" the linger pivoted thereto disposed in .aairl guideway and said linger disposed with-A in the bifurcation, menne lor aclualing lhe plunger to project the linger, one of the wall: oli' tlu bifurcation fin-ming a Surface. cooperating with the linger to clamp and engage thread, the cutter disposed in said bi'l`urcation and .nafurorl lo libe opposite Wall there() f.

ll. ln an a] .parali.i;-s of the character desrrriliienhthe (,:on'ibination with a hopper f or containing wound filling` carriers or bobhina, a filling ruil hurler, means for relalively inf-ving' a wound filling Carrier or bobhiu and lilliuifl` end finder in a direction lj' ol' the loi'igitullina'l axis of the or lio'biu enable the finder to lind u lilliu and, and n fana for nder away from the i' i iae found and illxng. .,'ln lling; enel finder for iio'bbins, and in wnihimnuin with cooperating lind- :ng ine-ans, a hopper for the bobbins provided with an ourleta feeder for successively lee-dung the bohoins to the outlet, dropper mechanism {.fontrolling the discharge of bobthrough the outlet, and rneauS 'for oper-v at ng the aforesaid parte in timed accord.

In a filling end finder for bobbine., and in combination with cooperating finder means, a hopper for The bobbins provided; with a flisrliarge oiublet, a feeder for succes sively loading' the lrohbins to said outlet,

dropper merlin L u soi'zlrolling the outlet, i the ai iresaid parts, said invano bei g opwalive to reverse the moti .he fe .iler lafta'een :suceeaeire feeding' of Arat-ione thereoi". v

lll. ln, a filling end lindor for bobbins, and in eomhil'ialii'in withvcoolrierating finding n'ieane, a hopper for vthe bobbins provided 'it-li a diarrharge out-let, lropper mechanism controlling said outlet, a feo-der for suenoseivoly moving the bobbins to theoutlet, means for operating the aforesaid parte iii timed accord, and means within the hopper.,

for maintaining the bobbine in a predetermined position for discharge through the outlet. i

l5. ln a filling end finder for bobbins, and in combination with cooperating findn means, a hopper for the bobbins provided with a discharge outlet, a valve eontrollin l. the individual discharge of bobbins throu said outlet, a decent for. holding each"d1scharge bobbinin proximity to the outlet for a finding action, and means `for alternatel opening and closing the valve and moving the detent into and out of operative relation.

16. In a filling end finder for bobbils, and

in combination with c'operating finding 139'- means, a hopper for the bobbins provided with an outletl a valve governing said outlet, akpfefeder for conveying bobbins to the outlet, and a guard roll governingndhe sides of the outlet for permitting a sing'le'bbbbin to discharge at a tiiii'e. "f

17. In a fillin' end finder for bobbins, the combination Wit i cooperating finding means, a hopper for the bobbinis` provided with a discharge outlet, a feeder for conveying the bobbins to the outlet, a valve governing the outlet, and a guard roll-arranged to control for the bobbins, means for governing the discharge of the bobbins; a feeder for con veyping the bobhns to the outlet, and means for periodically reversing the motion of the feeder.

1f). In a filling end finder for bobbins, and

in combination with cooperating finding means, a hopper for the bobbins provided with a discharge outlet, a feeder for conveying the bobbins to the outlet, valve mechanism governing the discharge of' the bobbins, and operating mechanism for actuating the parts at' timed intervals, said mechanism embodying elements ar anged to come into action at space-d periods for imparting feed motion to the feeder andthen reversingthe same. y

z 20. In a filling feeder fonbobbins, and the combination with cooperating finding' means, a hopper for the bobbins provideil with a. discliarge outlet, a valve governing said out let,ia feeder for feeding the bobbins to the outlet, a detent for holding each bobbin in position for a finding action and simultaneously-imparting rotary motion thereto.

21. In a filling finder for bobbins, and in combination with roperating finding means, ahopper for the bobbins provided willi a discharge outlet, ineaniI for discharging` the hobbins through said outlet, means for centering the bobbins for a finding action, a detent for,maintainingfhe bobbins in position for the finding action and impart ing rotary motion thereto, and means` for moving said datent into and out of' the path of' discharge motion of the bobbins.

22. In a, filling end finder forrbobbins, and in combination with cooperating finding means, a hoppervt'or the bobbiiis provided with a discharge outlet, a valve controlling said outlet, a rotatable detciit for holding each discharged bobbin in position for the finding action and imparting rotary motion.

thereto,'a swinging support for said defi-int,

and `ine'aiis 'for imparting bai-leand-forth motion to said support at tiih'ied intervals afnd fiiir'rotating saiddletent.

23, LIiraii apparatus of therilcliaractrr ilescribed, theeoinbination with a hopper for containing wound filling carriers or bobbins, a filling end finder, means for relatively moving a wound filling carrier or bobbiii and l filling end` finder iii a direction transversely ofthe longitudinal axis of the carrier or bobliiirto enable the finder to find and engage the filling' end, means for moving the filling end finder away from the carrier or bobbin after it has found and engaged the filling, and means for `securing theA .filling end beyond the end of the filling carrier or bobbin. i

24. In a filling thread finder for` bobbiiis, a finder for finding the end of the thread, means coperaf'ing therewitli :for extei'uling the found end of the thread, and means for winding the found end of' the thread about a su p port.

25. In a. filling `thread finder for bobbiiis, a finder for finding and clamping the end of the thread, means for moving the finder through a course of travel to extend the end of the thread, means for engaging and connectiiigthe end of the thread with ya support, and means for releasing the thread from the finder.

2b. In a filling' thread finder for liobbins,

a finder for ei'igaging and holding the end of' the thread, means for moving the finder through a course oftravel to extend the end of the thread, a rotary element for winding theend ofthe thread held by the finder about a support, and means for releasing the thread from the finder. I

2i'. In a filling thread finder forV bobbins, and in combination with bobbin feeding and rotating means, a carriage, a finder finger mounted upon the carriage, said finger being automatically retracted and adapted for projection to engage the thread and upon retraction to elanip the thread` end, means for projecting the finder, means for moving the rarriage through a course of travel to extend the end of the thread from the bob! hin, means f'oi winding the extended end, of the thread about a support, and means for projecting the finger while in thread extending position to release the clamped end of the thread.

28. ln a filling thread finder for bobbins, means for finding the thread and extending the saine from the bobbin, means for depositing the bobbin into a holder,-an'd'ineans for fixing the end of' the extended thread to a support, wherebyl the saine may be held extended. i

29. In a filling thread finder for bobbins, means t'or finding and extending the end of the thread', means for de ositing the 'bobbin in a holder, and means or winding the extended endoffthe thread about a support.

$50. In a filling thread .finder for bobbins,

means for finding and extending the end of in arholder, and a rotary element for windingithe extended end of the thread about a support.

31. In a filling thread finder for bobbins, means for finding and extending the end of' the thread, means for depositing the bobbin in a holder, and a rotary member having a hooked ortion to engage and wind the end of the t iread about a support.

In a filling thread finder for bobbins, means for finding and extending the end of the thread, means for depositing the bobbin in a holder, means for maintaining the end of the thread in extended condition, means for yconnecting the thread with a support at a point between the bobbin and the afore- Sald means, and means for releasing the thread from said aforesaid means.

33. In a filling thread finder for bobbins, a hopper, bobbin feeding and rotating means, a reciprocating carriage, a finder mounted upon the carriage and adapted to be irojected 'and automatically retracted to find Vand hold the end of the thread, means for dropping the bobbin into a holder, means for moving the carriage in one directionto extend the end of the thread and to hold it clamped in extended condition, means for winding the clamped end of the threadabout a support, and means for Deleasing the thread from the finder and/returning the carriage to normal position;

34. In a filling thread finder for bobbins, bobbin feeding and rotating means, a reciprocating carriage, a finder lmounted on the carriage to engage, find and clamp the end f the thread, means for projecting the finder at the finding point, means for nor- Inally holdingr the finder retracted, means -for moving the carriage at''the completion of the finding action to extend the vend ot' the thread, means for locking the Carriage at the end of such movement, means for dropping the bobbin from the feeding and rotating means 'intoa support, mea-ns for winding the extended end of the thread about a holder', and means for freeing the t'liread`;from the finder, and releasing and returniiii'gtheearriage to normal position.

35. In a filling thread finder for bobbins, and in combination with thread finding and extending means, means for holding the tht-ered Fextended, means for winding the safii'e about a support, and-means for releasing the thread fron'i said holding means.

36. In 'a threw-'1 finding -meehanism for bobbins, a finder, means for bringing a bobbin m'juxtaposed relation to and actuating the finder to find and extend the end, of the,

thread, means for depositing lthe bobbin upon a support, and meas for fixing the extended end of vthe thread to a holder.

. 37. In affilling thread der for bobbi'ns and in combination withl extending means, a support, and' means for- -hread finding and.

winding the end of the thread about said support at a point between the bobbin and the finder and releasing the portion'of the thread held by the finder from the latter.

3&5. In a fil ing thread finder for bobbins, a hopper, means for feeding, rotating and discharging a bobbin, means for finding the thread and extending the same from the bobbin, means for Connecting the extended end of the thread with a support and returning the finder to normal position for the succeeding action, and a single rotary driving element provided with portions for operating all of the aforesaid parts in timed aeeord.

39. l'n a machine of the class described, the combination of a filling end finder for finding and engaging the end of the filling wound upon the carrier or bobbin, means 'for moving the filling end finder beyond the end of the carrier or bobbin after it has found and engaged the filling end, and

means for securing the filling end to a. holder or support after it has been moved beyond the carrier or bobbin by the filling end finder.

40. InV a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a fillingend finder to find and engage" the end portion of the filling. wound upon a carrieror bobbin and extend it from the wound carrier or bobbin, a hopper or receptacle to receive the wound carrier or bobbin the end of the filling of which has been found. and engaged by the fillingl end finder and position the filling carrier or bobA bin for transfer to the shuttle.

41. In a filling end finder for bobbins, a finder for finding and holding the end of the thread, and a'support for the bobbin during the finding action comprising a rotary roll, adapted to rotate the hobbin during the finding action of the finder and to allow the bobbin to remain stationary under resistance of the finder as soon as the end 'of the thread is found and engaged by the finder.

42. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a filling end finder to find and engage the end portion of thefillinp,r w'ou'nd upon a carrier or bobbin and extend it from the wound carrier or bobbin, means for securing thefend' of the extended fill-ing, a hopper or receptacle to receive the wound carrier or hobbinl the end of the filling of which has been found and engaged bythe filling end finder and position' the filling Carrier orbobbin for transfer to the shuttle.

latter is held stationary under the -resistange ofthe end of the thread held by the finder, i

and means for rotating the roll,

44. Tn a filling end finder for bo'bbinmwin combination with a finding means tot; ven-l gagil'ig and holding the end of the thread, a support for the bobbin during the yfiudinlgl action, said support. being operative yto rotate the hobbin during the finding' arton.y the bolihin being loosely held in rontaet with said support, held against; rotation by the resistance of the found end of the thread to obviate breakingr of the same.

45. ln a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a main hopper to hold the wound filling carriers or bobbins.y a reeeptaele or transfer hopper for receiving the wound filling carriers or hobbins, and a filling end finder between the main and transfer lioppers to find and engage the filling end wound upon a fillingl rarrier or bobbin before it is transferrtd to the rveeptaele er transfer hopper.

4th ln a filling end finder 4for hohbius, a finder for findingthe end of' the thread7 a rotary roll for loosely supporting the bol lbin during the finding artion, means for rotating said roll, a swinging carrier for the roll. and means for sn'inging` .said earrier to movethe roll out. of the path of' the bobbin at. the ronf'lusion of the finding artion.

47. ln a. machine of' the character deserihed, the combination of' a main hopper for holding a supply of wound filling` earriers or bobbins, means aiutinof automatically upon the cylindrical surt'are of a wound filling carrier or bobbln to find and engage the end portion of the filling and extend it from the Carrier or bobbin, and means arlinli automatically thereafter to transfer the filling carrier or bohbin to the shuttle.

48. ln a filling end finder for bobbins, means for loosely supporting and rotating a bobbin, a finder for vengaging and holding the loose end of the thread wound upon the bobbin so as to cause said thread end to nnwind in the rotary motion of the bobbin, and means for moving said finder toward"and fromithe surface of the bobbin, said finder havin r a yieldingr motion when in eontaet with l; 'ieA thread upon the bobhin to .coliform to irregularities in the surface thereof.

` 449. ln a fillingfthread finder for bobbins,

means for. loosely rotating a bobbin on its axis in a substantially fixed plane, and a finder for engaging and moving the thread end away from the bobbin and holdingr the '.hobbin from rotation by engagementl `with said threaded end.

50. In a filling thread finder for bobbins,

whereby the bobbu will be Y,

"ing, in combination,

, ymeans, for loosely rotating a bobbin on its aaxis ina .substantially fixed plane'and a, finder adapted to nnivably engage the surt'are of' the bobbin for engaging and holding the threadl end, said finder being movable away from the bobbin at; the end of the finding action to carry the thread end from the bobhin and to hold thebobbin through .said thread end from rotation.

5l. In a machine of the character deserihed, a hoppen to hold wound fillinfir Carriers or bobbins7 a filling end finder, means for causing the filling end finder to act upon the surface of the filling wound upon the carrier or liobhin and find the end of the filling, means for moving thelilling end finder away from the carrier or bobbin to extend the end of' the filling', and means for seruring the end of the extended filling.

52. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a. filling end finder1 means for delivering a wound filling rarrier or bobbin for the action of the finder` means for relatively moving the wound mass of filling on the carrier or liobbin and finder in a direction transversely of the longitudinal axis of' -the carrier or bobbin to cause the finder to find and engage the fillingr end, and means for moving the finder to extend the fillingfrom the wound carrier or bobbin after it has been found.

5?). A filling finder mechanism; :comprisa filling end finder, means for causing it. to act upon the wound mass of filling on a carrier or bobbin to find and engage the filling end, means for reciprocating the filling end finder to extend the filling end and return to initial position, and means for securing the extended end of the lillinfr.

54. fillingr finder mechanism, compris-A ing, in romhilfation, i filling end finder, means for raus-ing it to act upon the wound mass of filling on a earrier or bobbin to nd and engage the filling end, means for reeil'n'oeating the filling endflnderto extend the filling end, means for securinf'the eX- tended end of the filling at a point beyond the end of the carrier or bobbin, and means for releasing the end ot' the filling from the finder.

I testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS CARTER.

Witnesses: y

F. EnMoNs'roN, Jr., BENNETT S. JONES. 

